Trap



April 2, 1929- P. J. PETERSAON 1,707,740

TRAP

Filed NOV. 7, 1925 Patented Apr. 2, 1929.

rn-rnn J. rnrnnson, or cn'nownrnn, wronrnq. A

can.

enr i a m filed Nove be 1935. serial .Nb. 87,539.

This invention relates to certain improvements in traps and it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind wherein the striking member is effectively maintained in set position and which is adapted to be released by the weight ofthe victim.

Another object of theinvention is to provide a device of this kind wherein the striking member is maintained in set position by a latch mechanism which may be easily made effective.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a deviceof this kind employing a striking member maintained in set position by a movable member or trigger, saidmemher or trigger being moved upwardly by the weight of the victim torelease the striker.

The invention consists in the details of.

ing a trap constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the device as illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view partly in top plan and partly in section of my improved trap as herein set forth;

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially central of the de-. vice.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, R denotes a runway of requisite dimensions and which comprises the end base plates 1 and the side walls 2 and 3.

Pivotally connected with the lower marginal portion of one of the side walls. as 2, is a longitudinal marginal portion of a striking member M preferably of a length to extend a slight distance beyond the opposite ends of the runway R so that the swinging or lifting of the member M into set position may be easily accomplished. The various walls of the runway R and the striking 1 ing or tilting movement.

m m e M. are prefera ly made of sheet m e al hough Ids no WlSh to. he underto d as limiting myself to he material einp yedo ing w h the ide M112 and the Strik- 1ng'member M are the springs S operating under requisite tensionto throw the striks m be M downwa d y w th suffi ien force to k ll a. victim passing through the runway. At substantially the longitudinal center thereof. the outer or free longitudinal marglnal portion of the striking member M is provided with a recess 4 which receives a portlQ Off a roller 5, said roller also extending beyond the said margin of the member. This roller 5 s held in applied position upon the member M in any desired manner as indicated at e A Then the striking member M is raised into set position the roller o contacts with a depending flange Tcarried by a movable member or trigger 8 pivotally engaged, as at 9. with the wall 3 for swinging movement: This contact raises the movable member 01' trigger 8 suflicient to permit the roller to pass rearwardly of said flange and contact with the inner face portion thereof adjacent its junction with the member or trigger 8 pro er whereby the striking member M is hel in set position. I

It is to be understood that the pivotal connection of the striking member M with the side wall 2 with respect to the base plates 1 will vary in accordance with the character of the animal adapted to be trapped. By this, it will be understood that the larger the animal the higher the striking member M will be from the bottom of the runway.

Positioned between the end base plates 1 is a platform 10 pivotall supported midway its ends by the side wa ls 2 and 3 whereby said platform is supported for vertical swing- O eratively engaged, as at 11, with a side 0 the platform 10 adjacent to the ends thereof are the elongated members or rods 12. These rods are in spaced relation and the upper end portions thereof are freely disposed through the movable member or trigger 8. At a desired point below the movable member or trigger 8, each of these rods 12 is provided with an enlar ement 14 which may be readily formed y crimping the rod or otherwise as may be pre ferred. By this arrangement, as a victim passes upon the platform 10 from either end of the runway B, one of the rods 12 will be caused to move upwardly bringing into contact with the movable member or trigger 8 from below the enlargement 14 resulting in sufficient lifting of the movable member or trigger 8 to release the strikingmember M.

By varying the inclination of the flange 7 of the movable member or trigger 8, the release of the striking member may be controlled; The sharper the angle the greater Weight required for release. By this it Wlll be seen that if the trap is intended for capbe obvious that my inventionis susceptible of some change and modification without de vparting from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown. in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim-z- A. trap comprising, in combination, a runway comprising spaced side walls, a striking member extending within the runway, means for pivotally connecting the lower marginal portion of the striking member with the lower marginal portion of a side wall of the runway, means'for forcibly swinging the striking member downwardly, a movable member having one end portion pivotally engaged with a side wall of the runway at a point adjacent to the, upper margin of the striking member when said striking member is in raised position, the opposite end portion of said movable member having a flange engageable with the striking member to hold the striking member raised, a platform within the runway supported for movement in a vertical direction under the infiuence'of the weight of the victim, and a rod operatively engaged with the platform and freely disposed through the movable member, said rod being provided with an enlargement for en gaging the movable member from below upon depression of the platform to release said movable member from the striking member.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature:

PETER J. PETERSON. 

